I can see clearly now the mask has gone away
And stopped fogging up my glasses.
I can walk down the boardwalk
While breathing in the fresh air.
I can sit down with family and friends
Close enough to clearly hear what they say.
No, the coronavirus pandemic isn’t quite over
But I can sense the end is near.
People are having fun together again
I know because I can see the smile on their faces.
We’re resuming business as usual
As more of us return to our workplaces.
The concerts have returned to the park
And the shows are coming back to Broadway.
They’re playing baseball for fans in stadiums
And new movies in the cinema theaters.
We’re even able to see old cars along the beach
And read new poems in person for others to hear.
I can also see more clearly than ever the power of science
Applied by smart, hardworking and dedicated people.
I can also see more clearly now the value of healthcare professionals,
And the importance of those we refer to as essential workers,
Whether they have Ph.Ds or high school degrees,
Regardless of whether they are paid thousands or hundreds each week.
I can see more clearly now why we need to hug,
And why we need to be in the presence of others.
I can see more clearly the present and the now
And the gift of life we should cherish every day,
The love we should not hold back from those dear to us,
Or the care for one another we should willingly provide.
I can see clearly now the mask has gone away,
The trees seem greener, the flowers prettier,
Birds are more noticeable, the sound of the ocean louder.
People look more beautiful, simple pleasures more precious.
Can the world be a better place for us who survived
And make us more grateful than ever to be alive?
Copyright Charles A. Bruns, 2021
